Bill > S1395

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to conduct, or contract with another entity to conduct, a follow-up study on the well-being of all former residents of the North Princeton Developmental Center (NPDC) based on data collected commencing on the first day of the seventh month following the enactment of the bill. Follow-up studies of former residents of NPDC were previously funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and conducted by the Developmental Disabilities Planning Institute at the New Jersey Institute for Technology at three, nine, 15 and 27 months after residents left NPDC, which closed in 1998. Under the provisions of this bill, data would be collected from all former residents, their family members or guardians, as appropriate, and staff providing supports and services to the former residents, as applicable; except that data collected from staff would be limited to objective and quantitative data. The study would contrast the data collected on the former residents with a comparison group of persons with developmental disabilities still residing in a developmental center, as applicable. Specifically, the study would assess the well-being of former residents by examining, at a minimum, data concerning: · the types of residential settings and day activities, if any, of former residents; · the number of moves to different placements, if any, experienced by former residents; · for former residents who are residing in the community, their preference for residing in a developmental center or the community based on a comparison of the former residents' experiences in NPDC and the community; · former residents' ability to obtain necessary services and supports; · former residents' involvement with law enforcement, if any; · mortality rates of former residents; · former residents' competency in the areas of cognition, self-care, and mobility; · former residents' contact with family members or guardians, as appropriate, and peers; · behavioral changes in former residents; · utilization of health services by former residents; and · the attitude of former residents and their family members or guardians, as appropriate, about the former residents' current quality of life, including, but not limited to, economic well-being, productivity, and personal safety and health. In the case of former residents receiving guardianship services, the study would indicate whether they are receiving these services from the Bureau of Guardianship Services in the Division of Developmental Disabilities in DHS or from family members or other interested persons appointed as guardians. The results of the follow-up study would be compiled in a report and submitted electronically to the Governor and the Legislature. The report also would be made available on the DHS website. The bill has a delayed effective date of the first day of the seventh month following its enactment and expires upon the submission of the report. The bill also allows the Commissioner of Human Services to take administrative action in advance of the effective date.

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Loretta Weinberg (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 02/11/2016)